What Makes a Witch?

There are many books available to teach anyone about the many different types of witchcraft and how to practice them. I have read more than my fair share of them, for sure. The question is, does reading/learning about and creating your own experiences through it make you a witch? In my opinion, yes. While there are some practices that have initiation rites and a structured hierarchy (and if that is your chosen path, I do suggest seeking out a coven to discuss it), this path is not for everyone. If you are a solitary practitioner, like myself and many of my friends, your initiation would be more of a dedication; not necessarily to a particular god or goddess either. Your dedication can simply be to practice your craft to the best of your ability and in a way that is for your highest good. You can choose to follow a particular path or pantheon, or choose the more eclectic path; as long as it feels right for you.
Now, that is not to say that there are not those who would tell you that unless you have been initiated by a High Priest/Priestess you are not a real witch. That if you don’t have the right tools, or know the proper rituals you can’t be a witch. There are even those who will tell you that if it is not in your blood/lineage you are not a witch. That is fine for them to believe, but you should never let anyone tell you who you are or what you believe. You cannot gatekeep faith. The fact that (as I believe) we have all lived many lives among different cultures with different beliefs and practices means our souls, whether we consciously remember or not, have had many experiences that still shape us/our personalities and contribute to what we believe in and are drawn to in this life time.
So what does make a witch then? As it says above the entrance of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi; “Know Thyself”; your beliefs, your desires, your gifts and limitations, everything you can learn about yourself is important because it is you. All you really need is you, your dedication to your path/purpose, and your openness to the universe and your connection to it all. Everything else is knowledge (hopefully) turned wisdom. Never stop learning.
So what do you really believe in? Is there a pantheon that speaks to you do you feel drawn to aspects of many? Are you more comfortable practicing solitary, or would you prefer the comradery of a coven? Will you choose to dedicate yourself to a particular god/goddess, wait for one to be drawn to you, or would you prefer not to dedicate yourself to any one god/goddess in particular? It is all up to you!